Normally We Agree or Disagree, But tonight I have some thoughts to share

We were outraged over the Edmonton Fringe Festival handling over someone within the disabled community.
Many were outraged over the behaviour of one woman (strangely not the men) and a “video” at the Calgary Stampede.

Many responded with outrage, and well, let’s be blunt, shame.

Boycott The Fringe!

Fire the Executive Director!

Fire the Social Media Person!

Fire the Woman!

And while I do agree and understand that there are consequences for people’s actions, I feel that in the midst of this that we are missing something.

Opportunity.

In all of these situations, there are actually opportunities to learn and be better. As an example, the Edmonton Fringe Festival took some huge steps in making things right with Daniel Hughes and their family. This will be better for everyone involved. And lessons can be learned from other organizations that looks for volunteers on how to communicate.

Would that have happened if we went on a firing spree like was requested or demanded by some?

Now the young lady and the men. And please hold on a moment here while I speak on this.

Imagine for a moment you made a mistake. A big mistake. A mistake that will possibly change the course of your life.

What would you want? Would you want to be isolated and alone while it seems like the whole world is laughing at you and mocking you?

Or, would you want community and support in a time you so desperately need it?

It’s easy to go on a computer and laugh and scorn people for mistakes. The problem is, and this includes me as well, we all have made mistakes. Maybe they weren’t posted on Social Media for all to see and “trend”. But, they were mistakes.

Did you learn from them? Did you have the opportunity to grow and be a better person? I know I have for mine.

There are many that say that the world owes you nothing. And perhaps they are right. But what the world is lacking in a big way is mentorship. People that walk side by side with you and support you in your decisions. The good ones and the bad ones. Maybe the world would be a better place if the world offered that.

So maybe this week is lesson for all of us, including me. Maybe the lesson is instead of asking for our entitled pound of flesh for something we know little about, we take the time to see what opportunities there are for us to learn from.